A U.S.-brokered peace agreement for the Democratic Republic of the Congo has effectively collapsed just over a week after its signing, as rebels seized the strategic city of Uvira, escalating a decades-long conflict.
President Donald Trump had hailed the deal between DR Congo’s Félix Tshisekedi and Rwanda’s Paul Kagame as a “historic” breakthrough. However, the M23 rebel group—which was not a signatory to the Washington agreement—has since announced the “full liberation” of Uvira. The U.S., European powers, and UN experts assert that Rwanda directs and supports the M23, a charge Kigali denies.
The offensive has drawn sharp condemnation from U.S. Ambassador to the UN Linda Thomas-Greenfield, who accused Rwanda of “leading the Great Lakes region toward war.” The capture of Uvira exposes the fragility of the Washington deal and risks a broader regional escalation, as M23 simultaneously participates in a separate, Qatar-led peace process.
The swift rebel advance not only undermines the touted diplomatic victory but also highlights the entrenched complexities of a conflict where militant groups operate with significant foreign backing, challenging the reach and durability of international mediation.
By James Kisoo
